The Pittsburgh Steelers are off to a strong start in the 2024 season, remaining undefeated and looking to keep the momentum going. In their Week 3 game against the Los Angeles Chargers, rookie guard Mason McCormick made his offensive debut in Pittsburgh, logging 25 snaps.
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Steelers' Mason McCormick at the first day of 2024 rookie minicamp.
McCormick contributed both as an extra offensive lineman, reporting eligible on some plays, and as a left guard. He rotated with Spencer Anderson on several plays, raising questions among Steelers fans about whether this rotation would continue throughout the season.
During his usual Tuesday press conference, Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin addressed the topic of rotating left guards. He suggested that the trend could persist moving forward.
"We’ll continue to do some of the things that we did at left guard last week. In terms of Spencer and Mason both getting work and watching those guys throughout the week to decide how we divvy up the labor based on that performance."
During the Steelers' Week 2 game against the Denver Broncos, Tomlin and his staff rotated tackles. Rookie Troy Fautanu started at right tackle, with Broderick Jones rotating in during the third series. However, Jones struggled significantly, drawing three costly flags in just six plays, leading to his benching for the remainder of the game.
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Steelers' Troy Fautanu and Broderick Jones sit in their lockers before Week 1 against the Falcons.
Despite this, Tomlin and his staff aren’t concerned. In fact, Tomlin hinted that McCormick and Anderson might rotate at left guard in Week 4 against the Indianapolis Colts. He also elaborated on what has impressed him most about McCormick’s performance so far.
"He’s a talented young guy. He’s done a nice job in team development. He’s had a lot of success in college. No stage is too big for him. He’s not a blinker and he runs to the action. I like the finish mentality in his play. I think it’s contagious."
The Steelers selected McCormick in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, generating a lot of excitement as many saw him as a talented, under-the-radar guard. Having played his college ball at South Dakota State, McCormick flew somewhat under the radar, but scouts noted his tendency to elevate his play against tougher competition—a key trait that drew Pittsburgh to him.
Anderson, drafted in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft, has been a solid contributor for the Steelers. For a seventh-round pick, Anderson has exceeded expectations, and Tomlin has voiced strong confidence in his development. Now, that same confidence is being expressed in McCormick, signaling the potential of both players.
Steelers' Omar Khan Continues To Impress With His Draft Classes
It’s exciting for Steelers fans to see two late-round picks earning meaningful playing time, and the growth of Anderson and McCormick underscores just how successful Omar Khan’s recent draft classes have been.
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Steelers' Spencer Anderson looks on during a home game.
The Steelers are currently managing a few injuries along the offensive line, and getting back to full strength will be crucial for keeping the offense on track. However, the emergence of McCormick has sparked optimism among Steeler Nation. McCormick is a hungry, hard-nosed player who embodies the Steelers' ethos, and it’s exciting to see him earn more opportunities.
Fans are hopeful that rotating left guards won’t pose the same issues as the tackle rotations, which were more problematic. McCormick’s rise offers a promising boost at a time when stability on the line is key.
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